CHAMBERSBURG - Franklin County commissioners want to get an idea of how the county will save money if court operations and court administration are consolidated.

On Thursday they signed off on an agreement with Susquehanna Accounting & Consulting Solutions Inc., Harrisburg. The contract is not to exceed $65,000 plus up to $5,000 for expenses.

The consultant will help county staff determine the fiscal impact of consolidating into courthouse and administrative complexes. Chief Clerk John Hart said that the impacts to be assessed include savings on operations, employee travel time during work hours, efficiency of co-location, the cost of potential debt service and availability of state and federal grants.

In November commissioners hired Noelker & Hull Associates Inc. of Chambersburg for up to $265,000 to develop alternatives and a design for a renovation and expansion of county court operations. The architect drawings are expected in the spring.

Since shelving a $40-million-plus judicial center in 2010, commissioners have spent $5 million acquiring properties around the courthouse.

Coroner gets a raise for home office

CHAMBERSBURG - Franklin County is prepared to pay $25 more a month in 2017 to rent office space in the home of Coroner Jeffrey Conner

Conner will receive $300 a month to use space in his home at 1497 Loudon Road in Hamilton Township for the office of Franklin County Coroner.

"Associated expenses have risen steadily over the past six years, and there has not been a corresponding increase in the rent ... until now," Commissioner David Keller said.

The previous rate of $275 had been unchanged since 2012. The lease had been $250 a month in 2010 and 2011.

Conner said during his successful re-election campaign of 2015 that it would be a financial burden for the county to have a formal coroner's office with a secretary. He stores records in the office, whose hours are subject to his availability. Just a handful of people visit the office annually, he said. His staff meets families offsite.

The coroner is called to investigate deaths - including homicides, suicides and accidental and natural deaths, whenever they occur.

Deadline looms for property tax rebates

HARRISBURG - The deadline to apply for the 2015 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is Dec. 31.

Eligible participants can receive an income-based rebate of up to $650 for rent or property taxes that were paid in 2015. Available supplemental rebates can boost rebates for qualifying homeowners to $975.

The program is open to residents who are 65 years or old, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. The income limits are $35,000 annually for homeowners and $15,000 a year for renters. Half of Social Security income is excluded.

Applications and no-cost assistance are available at state representatives' district offices in the area..